US President Donald Trump has ordered what he called a “total and complete” blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. The move sharply raises pressure on President Nicolás Maduro and signals a major escalation in US actions in the region. Trump announced the Trump Venezuela oil blockade in a late-night social media post. He claimed that oil sales from Venezuela help fund drug trafficking and other crimes. He also warned that the US military presence around the country would continue to grow. The order follows weeks of rising tension. US forces have increased patrols near Venezuela and carried out many strikes on vessels in nearby waters. These actions have already caused dozens of deaths, according to official statements. The new blockade adds another layer of force to a campaign that has steadily expanded. Just days before the announcement, US forces seized a large oil tanker near Venezuela’s coast. The ship was believed to be carrying around two million barrels of heavy crude. Venezuelan officials strongly condemned the move. They accused the US of theft and described the seizure as piracy under international law. Trump’s message said Venezuela is now surrounded by a powerful naval force. He warned that the pressure would only intensify. He did not explain exactly how the blockade would be enforced. It is also unclear whether the US Coast Guard or the Navy will take the lead in stopping vessels at sea. In recent weeks, thousands of US troops and several warships have moved closer to Venezuela. An aircraft carrier is also operating in the area. This buildup suggests the blockade could rely on direct interdiction of ships rather than paperwork or financial penalties alone. Maduro responded hours before Trump’s post with strong words of his own. Speaking at a public event, he accused the US and its allies of trying to control Venezuela’s natural wealth. He said the country would defend its sovereignty and promised that peace would prevail despite outside pressure. Venezuela’s government later rejected the blockade order outright. Officials called it a serious and hostile threat. Inside the US, the move also drew criticism. One Democratic lawmaker said the blockade could be seen as an act of war and warned that Congress had not approved such action. Oil markets reacted quickly. Traders said prices were rising on fears that Venezuelan exports could drop even further. However, many said they are waiting to see how strictly the blockade will be applied and whether it will affect ships that are not under sanctions. In practice, an unofficial embargo already seems to be in place. After the recent tanker seizure, many loaded vessels chose to stay in Venezuelan waters rather than risk interception. This has slowed exports and added uncertainty for buyers. The situation worsened this week after a cyberattack disrupted systems at Venezuela’s state oil company. The attack affected shipping and export planning. As a result, crude exports have fallen sharply in a short period of time. Not all ships carrying Venezuelan oil are sanctioned. Some vessels transport crude linked to partners like Iran and Russia. A few companies, including a major US firm, still move Venezuelan oil using ships that have special authorization. It remains unclear whether these operations will be touched by the blockade. For now, the global oil supply remains strong. Millions of barrels are stored on tankers near Asia, waiting to unload. This buffer has helped limit price spikes. But analysts warn that if nearly one million barrels per day stay off the market for long, prices are likely to climb. The blockade comes as Trump has expanded other actions against Venezuela. The US military confirmed new strikes on boats accused of drug trafficking in the Pacific. Since early September, more than 20 such strikes have killed many people, most near Venezuelan waters. The administration has defended the campaign as a success against drug smuggling. Critics argue it pushes legal limits and risks wider conflict. Statements from senior officials suggest the effort is also meant to weaken Maduro’s hold on power. As the Trump Venezuela oil blockade begins, the region faces growing uncertainty. How far the US will go, and how Venezuela will respond, remains an open and serious question.